"Would I have considered Everton if I'd heard earlier? God, yes! Obviously I'd have considered it. But in those situations sentiment goes out of the window. When I first signed for Everton from Leeds I said then I didn't sign for Everton because I'm an Everton fan, I signed for Everton because they were a great club and I wanted to be successful.
"If I was coming from Newcastle and Everton were interested again, obviously it would be a privilege and an honour to be linked.
"The flak I've had in the past wouldn't have made any difference to my decision. I haven't reacted at all to the flak and people can read into that what they like. That wouldn't have influenced my decision at all."
Meanwhile, Henrik Pedersen admits he fears for his starting place at Bolton after picking up a serious Achilles injury.
"It's truly regrettable that I couldn't avoid the surgery," Pedersen told BT.
"The doctor who did the surgery told me that it was absolutely necessary. I didn't play in my favourite position, but I was a regular starter.
"Now I believe new players will be brought in and when I get back, all places might be taken already."